Boult’s Return: A Game-Changer for New Zealand in T20I Series Against Australia

It is expected that Trent Boult will return to the T20I fold for New Zealand during the three-match series against Australia. Despite not playing a T20I since November 2022, the veteran pacer has been selected for the second and third T20Is in Auckland. To manage his workload before the two-match Test series, Tim Southee will play only the first T20I.

There are also two uncapped all-rounders in the squad, Josh Clarkson and Rachin Ravindra. Daryl Mitchell, who has a foot injury, and Kane Williamson, who is on paternity leave, were not available for selection.

“It’s never ideal missing two of your best players for such a big series, but in saying that, we do have a lot of faith in the guys coming in,” selector Sam Wells said. “Both Josh and Rachin have been in our white-ball squads this summer and it’s really exciting for them to now get this opportunity.

“Josh hits the ball as long and as hard as anyone and we were encouraged by his performances with the ball in his maiden ODI series against Bangladesh before Christmas.

“Rachin’s talent and class has been clear to all over the past six months, and similar to Josh, it’s great to have his all-round skill-set to call on in this squad.”

Squad: Mitchell Santner (c), Finn Allen, Trent Boult (games 2 & 3), Mark Chapman, Josh Clarkson, Devon Conway (wk), Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Adam Milne, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Seifert (wk), Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee (game 1)